Topic: Bloomington

NBA playoffs: One series settled, others still up for grabs in weekend action

NBA playoffs: San Antonio is through to the Western Conference finals, awaiting the Thunder-Lakers winner. In the East, it's going to take a little longer between the Heat and Pacers and Celtics and Sixers.

In Richard Lugar defeat, a tea party road map for revamping Washington?

Six-term Sen. Richard Lugar (R) of Indiana lost by a landslide to a tea party-backed challenger in Tuesday's GOP primary. The outcome buoys the tea party movement nationally, but some say Lugar's problems were unique to him.

Minority students are punished more than whites, US reports. Is it racism?

Black students are more than three times more likely to be suspended from school than white kids, a Department of Education report finds. Secretary Arne Duncan calls it a violation of civil rights.

After the revolution, arts bloom in Tunisia

As Tunisia's 'Jasmine Revolution' turns one, musicians find new venues, funds, and teachers -- along with official support.

Bomb Iran? Where Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum stand.

The two strongest Republican candidates to emerge from the Iowa caucuses, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, both are open to bombing Iran's nuclear weapons program.

Higgs boson: Physicists close in on the 'God particle'

At a seminar at CERN in Geneva Tuesday, two groups using independent means for seeking the Higgs boson reported seeing tantalizing hints of the presence of the 'God particle.'

Higgs boson: Has the 'God particle' been found?

Scientists at CERN are expected to report Tuesday seeing hints of the long-sought Higgs boson – the so-called 'God particle' linked to a mechanism that gives other subatomic particles their mass.

Thanksgiving now a Black Friday 'prequel'? Big deals begin Thursday.

To lure Americans away from the Thanksgiving table and into the Black Friday shopping frenzy, US retailers are offering some delectable early-bird specials. 

Lauren Spierer goes missing in 'a safe and civil city'

Lauren Spierer went missing last week after a night out with friends. Underage drinking may have been involved.

Attention, shoppers! Food prices are rising.

Rising world demand and supply shortages will push up food prices 2 to 4 percent this year, maybe more.

Super Bowl 2011: My life with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers

Super Bowl teams provide a baby boomer with a look back at how his experiences have intersected, however briefly, with them over the years. The Steelers and Packers will meet Sunday in Super Bowl XLV.

Ice Bowl II? Vikings vs. Bears in rare outdoor home game

The NFL is preaching player safety, so how is the Vikings vs. Bears game outdoors – with wind chill predicted to be below zero – the smartest idea? While purists love 'real man' football played outdoors, Monday's Ice Bowl conditions may dictate future decisions on a possible new stadium in Minnesota.

Midterm elections: 12 House races to watch to judge size of a GOP 'wave'

Most observers expect Republicans to take over the House of Representatives, but more than 100 races could go either way. The magic number Republicans need to gain to take control: 39. Here are a handful of races to keep an eye on in the states with early-closing polls.

Where is unemployment falling? Try these Frost Belt cities for hot jobs.

Minneapolis and Buffalo, N.Y., are the only two large metro areas that saw jobs climb or unemployment rates fall over the past year.

Iraq-Iran border post: From 'Checkpoint Charlie' to tourist gate?

At a remote Iraq-Iran border post, US forces watch Iranians watch them. Iran's spy drones circle overhead. But there are plans to make this border crossing a new gateway for tourism between the two countries.

Sarah Palin escapes flying tomato attack

Sarah Palin dodged flying tomatoes yesterday in Bloomington, Minnesota

In full swing

A simple coil of rope slung over a tree provides hours of swaying solitude.

Indie Next poetry bestseller list

Job hunting? This week's unusual openings.

Seven job openings you might never expect

Sledding alone on the farm – for now

A big Midwestern snowfall seemed too good not to share.