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

 

National Coverage

North Carolina feels 'the blues'
"NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams" NBC

Ferrel Guillory of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has watched the states politics for decades. "Among the settled voters, republicans have an advantage, and what we are going to learn this year is whether the Obama campaign has stirred up enough new voters to change the dynamics." The candidates are paying a lot of attention to North Carolina, but this close to election day and with polls showing the race a dead heat, it's door-to-door combat that can make the difference.
UNC Tip Sheet:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1861/107/

Coattails get longer for Obama
The Hill (Washington D.C.)

Barack Obama’s massive campaign operation has generated a spike in Democratic voter registration in battleground states and competitive House districts, prompting political experts to predict that Obama will bring a crowd of Democrats into office on his coattails. …“The number of new registered voters and number of new Democrats in North Carolina has to bode well for other Democratic candidates,” said Thomas Carsey, a professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

One Ballot, Two Views (Letter to the Editor)
The New York Times

My husband and I, both English professors at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, early voted in Durham last week. Despite our better-than-average skill at deciphering difficult texts, we each admitted afterward that we were somewhat flummoxed by the ballot, which requires voters to mark their choice for president even if voting a straight-party ticket. (Jessica Wolfe, Durham, N.C.)

Malaria takes on the top meds
Science News

Like a basketball team that plays best against its toughest opponents, the parasite that causes malaria is showing signs of thwarting the most potent drugs currently used against it. …“It could potentially be disastrous,” says Steven Meshnick, a parasitologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Regional Coverage

Foundation report says Danville needs new image
The Register & Bee (Danville, Va.)

A new report examining the Danville area offers suggestions to move the region forward, but also points out flaws that impede progress. The report, “Assessing the Economic Competitiveness of the Danville, Virginia Region,” was conducted by the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and funded by the Danville Regional Foundation.
Related Link:
http://www.godanriver.com/gdr/news/local/danville_news/article/new_study_may_be_
road_map_for_dan_river_region/7112/

State and Local Coverage

UNC honored for commitment to diversity
The Chapel Hill News

UNC was one of 39 colleges and universities nationwide to be recognized for commitment to diversity recently by the nonprofit group Minority Access Inc. The group researched data from the Office of Educational Statistics at the U.S. Department of Education to determine the 39 recipients of its awards, said Andrea D. Mickle, president of Minority Access Inc., based in Hyattsville, Md.
UNC News Brief:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1772/107/

Surrogates target N.C. as swing state
The Rocky Mount Telegram

As the presidential election nears, Twin Counties voters are learning more and more what it means to live in a “battleground state.” …(Former New York mayor Rudy) Giuliani’s swipe was example of what campaign surrogates are capable of, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill political expert Hodding Carter III said. Carter, a veteran of two winning Democratic presidential campaigns, said surrogates provide a face for voters who likely will never come in contact with the nominee and offer credibility to a candidacy.

Palin mocks North Carolina fruit flies (Blog)
The Star-News (Wilmington)

At a speech in Pittsburgh on Friday, Gov. Sarah Palin bemoaned wasteful government spending, pointing to an example of "fruit-fly research" that's done in, of all places, Paris, France. …And that "wasteful" research isn't just over in France. There is a Drosophila-based center for research into autism at the University of North Carolina.
UNC researchers discuss their research with fruit flies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt2FZNSGIww&eurl=http://scienceblogs.
com/clock/2008/10/unc_scientists_comment_in_supp.php?utm_source=sb
homepage&utm_medium=link&utm_c

UNC Healthcare Blog:
http://unchealthcare.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/in-defense-of-fruit-flies-and-basic-medical-research/

Colleges welcome visits from all candidates
The Daily Tar Heel

Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr’s visit to UNC-Chapel Hill Tuesday night is one of a slew of candidate visits to schools across the state in the last few months. Higher education officials have reassured people that no matter which party the candidate represents, the schools don’t endorse that viewpoint. Candidates from all parties are welcome.
Related Links:
http://www.dailyadvance.com/news/state/libertarian-candidate-barr-visits-nc-campuses-210178.html
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/durham/story/1272871.html

Annexation expert briefs City Council, county board
The Fayetteville Observer

There are two main reasons the state of North Carolina gave municipalities in 1959 the right to involuntarily annex land, an expert told local officials Tuesday. David Lawrence, a professor of public law and government at the School of Government at UNC-Chapel Hill, said the first reason is most obvious: to provide additional services to an increasingly urban area where people live closer together.

Economy delays Carolina North
The Chapel Hill Herald

Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc., the California-based company that designed and will lease the first building planned for Carolina North, is concerned about its ability to fill the space with tenants during bad economic times, UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp acknowledged Tuesday. Representatives from the university asked the Town of Chapel Hill to delay consideration of a Special Use Permit application for the Innovation Center because there are still details that need to be ironed out in the lease agreement between UNC and Alexandria.

Read This Story Before Your Next Doctor's Visit
WFMY-TV (CBS/Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem)

Going to the doctor may seem more like speed dating than care giving. …Often, people leave their doctor's office with more questions than answers, according to researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine who are looking at how patients can get more of what they need from the health-care system.
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1822/107/

Parion, Korean firm team up
The Herald-Sun (Durham)

Parion Sciences Inc. has entered into an agreement with South Korea-based Kainos Medicines to co-develop a dry mouth treatment whereby Parion could receive up to $25 million upon completion of all milestones. …Parion was founded in 2000 as a spin-off from UNC Chapel Hill by (M. Ross) Johnson and Richard Boucher after the discovery of P-680.

Cutting Back On Diabetes Meds May Be Safe With Doctor’s Okay
WNCN-TV (NBC/Raleigh)

Prescription drug costs are putting a strain on people with diabetes. But there are safe ways to cut back, says a Chapel Hill doctor. A report this week says the bill for diabetes drugs nationwide has doubled in the past six years, reaching $12.5 billion in 2007. Doctors blame newer, more expensive medications. According to Dr. John Buse, director of the Diabetes Care Center at UNC Health Care, it's not unusual for diabetic patients to be on 10 or more medications.

Duke Health Raleigh is grabbing its piece of the lucrative sleep business
The Triangle Business Journal

…Sleep loss also is a major factor in health issues. Sleep apnea, for example, is considered a precursor of several morbid conditions, including heart disease, high blood pressure and strokes. …Dr. Bradley V. Vaughn, medical director of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Sleep Disorders Center, says studies have shown that treatment of sleep apnea on average reduces arterial pressure, which translates into 20 percent fewer strokes.

Don't overfuel for exercise (Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

If you're in the habit of having morning runs or daily tennis matches, you are making a sizable contribution to your good health. Whether your activity level requires you to pay special attention to your diet is another matter. (Suzanne Havala Hobbs is a registered dietitian and a clinical assistant professor in the department of health policy and administration in the school of public health at UNC-Chapel Hill.)

Youth runs (in) wild
The Chapel Hill News

…A virtual rite of passage for local runners, the 2.5-mile event has blazed the way for other runs such as the Trailheads' Philosopher's Way Trail Runs and a summer trailing running series. Further, UNC has appointed the Carolina North Forest Management to see to sensible stewardship, preservation, and appreciation of the woodlands.

Airport impact study results questioned
The Chapel Hill News

The recent release of a consultant's report suggesting a new general aviation airport would inject $40 million to $53 million each year into Orange County's economy has folks buzzing. Some, like local legislator Bill Faison, who restricted a search for a new airport site to Orange County, love the prospect of that large an injection of new revenue here.
Related Link:
http://www.chapelhillnews.com/opinion/story/22585.html

Ending the Gitmo disaster (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

President Bush said last year that "it should be a goal of the nation to shut down Guantánamo," but it now appears this goal will be unfulfilled when he leaves office. His recent decision not to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay for aliens accused of being terrorists is regrettable. (David Schanzer is director of the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security, which is jointly sponsored by Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.)

Film, talk to focus on blacklisted writer
The Chapel Hill News

Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo's name has become synonymous with the excesses of the witch hunt for American Communists in the years following World War II. …One of the producers of an acclaimed recent documentary about Trumbo will show and discuss the work next week at UNC.
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/content/view/1788/107/

A farm for all
The Chapel Hill News

When Tim and Megan Toben have a potluck dinner, they wind up with more than casseroles and hastily store-bought desserts. …Now, UNC students can get credit for working in their organic garden, interns can learn how to convert sun, wind and grease into viable energy while living off the land, and children can learn how to appreciate nature on school trips and in summer camps.

Apex girl has accolades from Celine Dion, Oprah
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

Tuesday's segment of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" featured a book of celebrated young people that includes Apex youngster Anna Williamson. …Jason Williamson, Anna's father, said the family has selected UNC Hospitals as a beneficiary on behalf of Anna. Anna was born at UNC Hospitals after she underwent a radical procedure by doctors in Tennessee to mend a hole on her spinal column while she was still a developing fetus.

Issues and Trends

Indictment returned in mascot's death
The Associated Press

A grand jury has indicted a man on charges that he was driving an SUV without a license when he struck and killed Jason Ray, the student who played UNC-Chapel Hill's mascot.
Related Links:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/10/28/Man_charged_in_crash_that_killed_mascot/
UPI-91221225246006/

http://www.wchl1360.com/details.html?id=8430

Help us make this a safer Halloween (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The Chapel Hill News

One of the nicest things about Chapel Hill is the community spirit for celebration and the people's love affair with downtown, the commercial and cultural heart of the town. Whether it's impromptu merriment of a UNC basketball victory, festooned floats in a holiday parade, or the annual fall street fair, people love to gather on Franklin Street. And we love to see them there. (Kevin Foy is the mayor of Chapel Hill.)

Charges don't change the tragedy (Editorial)
The Chapel Hill Herald

The decision by a federal grand jury earlier this week to bring additional charges against one of the suspects in the murder of UNC Student Body President Eve Carson was not surprising. In fact, it had been expected.
Related Link:
http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3835452/

Chapel Hill police probing fatal bus accident
The Chapel Hill Herald

Police are still investigating the accident that caused the death of a Burlington woman after she was hit by a Chapel Hill Transit bus on Monday afternoon. The woman has been identified as Valerie Hughes, 33. She died early Tuesday morning at UNC Hospitals from injuries sustained in the accident.
Related Links:
http://news14.com/Default.aspx?ArID=600913
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1272774.html

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