- The Daily Utah Chronicle

Weatherbox shoot for next-big-thing status

By By Trevor Hale • February 8, 2008

San Diego's Weatherbox has embraced the crowd-pleasing, indie-pop formula that so many bands have tried in recent years. Only this time it works because the band has found itself on the brink of becoming the mainstream's next big thing. Weatherbox's quirky hooks and willingness to experiment with variety has taken the band to the next level -- one just above the rest of the run-of-the-mill indie bands that seem to crop up just in time for Warped Tour.

Five reasons to get off your couch

February 8, 2008

Photojournalists/directors Steve Connors and Molly Bingham spent 10 months among the insurgents of Baghdad to create this unique, yet horrifying, compelling and insightful film about their lives, motivation and goals.

Mind like a butterfly

By By Sam Potter • February 8, 2008

It's become almost a running joke that when a "disability" movie comes along, it's sure to snag some attention come Oscar time. The record holds true: films such as "Rain Man," "The Sea Inside" and "My Left Foot" sucked in statuettes like a Dyson vacuum.

Shattuck: CNN deifies Ledger

By By Ryan Shattuck • February 8, 2008

It's a sad fact of life. Snow must melt. Leaves must fall. Sparrows must die. And Heath Ledger must pass away in his sleep. Thus is the order of life. And yet, despite these transitions, the Earth continues its eternal spin along its axis and the order of life continues.

Softball: Red Desert Classic kicks off new era

By By Jason Peterson and By Jason Peterson • February 8, 2008

This weekend's trip to participate in the Red Desert Classic in St. George will kick off a new era for the U softball team. The Utes are hoping today's doubleheader against Wisconsin and Rhode Island will be the revival of an old era, one that featured two World Series appearances and a school-record 51 wins in 1994.

Students upset by Romney’s withdrawal

By By Rochelle McConkie • February 8, 2008

Mitt Romney's departure from the presidential race on Thursday left many Utahns feeling disappointed and surprised, but U students and faculty said the candidate made the right decision. "I still feel he's the best person to be the president of the United States, but Super Tuesday didn't go as well as hoped," said Kirk Jowers, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics and Romney supporter.

Interns learn the ropes of Hollywood

By By Edgar Zuniga Jr. • February 8, 2008

Students looking to work in the entertainment industry can get hands-on experience through an internship program offered at the U. The Ladder Program is a Los Angeles-based internship that allows students to learn about Hollywood by experiencing it. Heidi Heller Banks ran a similar program at Northwestern University for three years before beginning the Ladder Program at the U.

At the Capitol: Senate approves college funding package

By By Rochelle McConkie • February 8, 2008

The Senate passed a bill Feb. 6 approving more than $20 million in ongoing funding for all state colleges and universities. The money would be used to improve student retention and graduation rates, advance math and science fields, improve faculty quality, promote regional economic development and fund other priorities as set forth by the institution.

Immigrants need to realize power, advocate says

By By Melissa Oveson • February 8, 2008

Gabriela Cetrola, an Argentinean immigrant and long-time social worker in Utah, gave a small group of women some of her personal views about immigration and refugee issues on Tuesday. "It's so hard to always be answering who you are and why you are here," said Cetrola, who first arrived in the United States in the late 1980s on a tourist visa while what was nicknamed "the dirty war" raged on at home.

At the Capitol: Legislature funds new museum, stiffs business school

February 8, 2008

A committee of Utah lawmakers voted Thursday to give the U most of the state money it needs to build a new Utah Museum of Natural History. But legislators weren't as generous in their support of the U's top building priority -- remodeling the David Eccles School of Business.