September 11, 2003

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

International Coverage

Heart Failure Survival Same for Blacks or Whites
Reuters United Kingdom
African-American and white patients with heart failure have similar chances of
survival, according to an analysis of data from North Carolina...."The clinical
characteristics of heart failure differ significantly between African-American
patients and white patients," Dr. Kirkwood F. Adams, Jr. of the University
of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and others explain in the American Heart
Journal.

National Coverage

Minors can easily buy cigarettes on Web, study finds
The Buffalo News
Adolescents and underage teenagers were able to buy cigarettes on the Internet
nine times out of every 10 tries, University of North Carolina researchers found
in a study published in today's Journal of the American Medical Association.

Counties turning from use of shelters
The Mercury News (San Jose, Calif.)
Child welfare experts agree that shelters are not ideal settings for abused and neglected
children. But when children must be removed from their homes at a moment's notice, where
else can they go?...According to a University of North Carolina study published last year,
monthly costs for group care can be six to 10 times greater than family foster care. And follow-
up studies on outcomes for kids living in institutions showed they had poorer educations and
higher arrest and substance abuse rates as adults.

State and Local Coverage

More muted remembrances this Sept. 11
The Herald-Sun
A year ago this morning, the region was awash in remembrance. Across our neighborhoods,
as across our nation, Americans gathered together in public places for somber reflection....
"It just felt right to people that we do something at the first-year anniversary, and then in
subsequent years, [take] more of a low-key approach," said Nancy Davis, UNC's associate
vice chancellor for university relations. "We're certainly not ignoring it in any sense."

Bi-state support of Catawba seen as vital
The Charlotte Observer
Measures creating an interstate Catawba River Commission got halfway
through the legislatures of both Carolinas this year, putting within reach an
official means of ensuring cross-border management of the river....An interstate
compact could assume broader authority over the river, said conference
speaker Milton Heath, an environmental law authority at UNC Chapel Hill's
School of Government. But a compact would require time-consuming authorization
by Congress, passage by both state legislatures and final congressional approval.

Many say immigration too easy
The Charlotte Observer
Carolinas Poll Too many immigrants, too few jobs...."In a down economy, many
native Americans feel that immigrants are taking their jobs," said Walter Farrell,
professor of social work, public health and public policy at the Kenan-Flagler
Business School at UNC Chapel Hill.

UNC officials prepare for Springsteen traffic
News 14 (Time Warner, Raleigh)
Bruce Springsteen comes to UNC-Chapel Hill this weekend and public safety
officials at the university are preparing for the traffic.

2 writers to lecture on UNC campus
The Herald-Sun
Two big-name writers will address students and the general public at
UNC this academic year through the Thomas Wolfe lecture series
and the Morgan Writer-in-Residence program in the department of
English
(Note: A UNC News Service release is by clicking here.)

Roses & raspberries
The Chapel Hill News
Roses to Chapel of the Cross and the UNC student Habitat for Humanity chapter
upon receiving the 2003 North Carolina Award for Outstanding Service (formerly
the Governor's Awards).

Issues and Trends Affecting Carolina

UNC orders audit of maintenance practices
The Herald-Sun
UNC system officials have asked the state attorney general's office to
review construction defects at two mold-infested N.C. Central
University dorms, but officials said they don't know whether the state
will sue the architect, contractors or someone else who might be
responsible for the repair project, estimated at $9 million.

FDA says dry-eye drug OK so far
The News & Observer
The prospects for Inspire Pharmaceuticals' experimental drug for
dry-eye disease winning approval before year's end appear better
than ever, following the announcement that federal regulators didn't
flag any issues during their preliminary review of the drug.
(Note: Inspire is a UNC spin-off company.)

Council schedules $29.4 million bond referendum
The Chapel Hill News
The Chapel Hill Town Council unanimously agreed to put $29.36
million in bonds before voters in November -- the largest offering in
the town's history.


Bonds' cost to taxpayers is all in the interest rates
The Chapel Hill News
On the surface, the effect on taxes of a $29.4 million bond offering
might seem like a fairly simple bit of math - figure out the town's
annual debt burden and look at the taxes needed to support it.

Note: If you have any questions about Carolina in the News, please call Russell Campbell at News Services, (919) 962-209, russell_campbell@unc.edu or Mike McFarland in University Communications, mike_mcfarland@unc.edu.

Note: Web links on this page are time-sensitive, so stories might not be available after the day they first appeared.