Welmark, UIHC, Gambling & Gilchrist

July 18, 2007, 6:00, 6:40 a.m; 3:40 p.m.

Here are some of the stories that showed up on my radar screen this morning:

Wellmark

READ THIS --> James Larew, "Brief to Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge Regarding Wellmark Naming Controversy," reportedly sent to Board of Regents President Pro Tem David Miles on July 2, and provided by the Press-Citizen Online July 18, 2007.

Brian Morelli, "Culver Lawyer Criticizes Naming Deal; Pomerantz Says Faculty Must Act Fast," Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 18, 2007, p. A1.

Diane Heldt, "Pomerantz Says Faculty Must Act Quickly on Gift," The Gazette, July 18, 2007, p. B3

Erin Jordan, "U of I moves to reconsider Wellmark gift; Faculty had rejected the $15 million offer, tied to renaming a college for the insurer," Des Moines Register, July 17, 2007 (with 8 forceful comments -- supporting the faculty's rejection of the name -- as of 6:00 a.m. July 18).

Erin Jordan, "Wellmark Offer for U of I May Not be Dead," Des Moines Register, July 16, 2007.

Jonathan Van Dyke, "Wellmark Gift May Not be Dead," The Daily Iowan, July 18, 2007.

Gerald Kuhl, "Wellmark Should Return to Insurance Roots," The Gazette, July 18, 2007, p. A4.

UIHC Reorganization

Anne Tanner, "UIHC Decision Strikes Sour Note," Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 18, 2007, p. A11.

Geri R. Hall, "New UIHC Model a Step Backward," Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 18, 2007, p. A11.

President Sally Mason

Ashton Shurson, "Mason Highlights Security," The Daily Iowan, July 18, 2007.

Gambling Our Way to Economic Prosperity

Rod Boshart, "More Gamblers Seeking Help to Quit," The Gazette, July 18, 2007, p. A1

Mary Gilchrist

Brian Morelli, "Atchison's Job at Hygienic Lab Made Permanent," Iowa City Press-Citizen, July 18, 2007, p. A1.

Taxes, Democratic Process and Corporate Welfare

David Yepsen, "Project Destiny At Least Provided Some Lessons," Des Moines Register, July 17, 2007 (with 17 lively reader comments as of 6:00 a.m. July 18).

War Games and Peace Games

The other day I referred to the movie "War Games." This morning on NPR's "Morning Edition" there is a segment on a new computer game called "Peacemaker" that enables players to explore possible solutions to the Palestine-Israel 60-year-long conflicts. Streaming audio of the piece is now available; a transcript of it soon will be (from the same linked page).

Great Ape Trust

Jason Pulliam, "DM Students Will Meet the Apes," Des Moines Register, July 17, 2007.

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