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May 23, 2006 - As a nod to Chris, the South's Biggest Idol Fan, there are a couple of interesting sideshows to tonight's part one of the big two-part finale when the world finds out whether Hollywood Pretty and Polished trumps Alabama Grits and Soul, or if voter turnout will exceed turnout in the last presidential election.

May 23, 2006 - A textile mill company is shutting down operations in South Carolina and Alabama, and the job losses will be significant:

May 23, 2006 - For the second year in a row, the State of Florida declared a 12 day sales tax exemption on supplies and other merchandise used for hurricane preparation. The tax holiday started Sunday, and continues through June 1st, the start of hurricane season.Tax exempt items include: Flashlights and portable, self-powered light sources – $20 or less Portable radios, two-way radios and weather-band radios – for $50 or less Flexible waterproof sheeting (tarps) – $50 or less Gas or diesel fuel containers – $25 or less Batteries – $30 or less

May 22, 2006 - Following the deaths of five more miners in Kentucky on Saturday, Jordan Barab at Confined Space issues this call to Washington:

May 22, 2006 - Another day, more scandal. It's hard to keep up with all the ethically-challenged behavior, but here are some highlights:* In NORTH CAROLINA, the AP reports on the latest involving House Speaker Jim Black (D) and his connections to the state lottery: "A former political director for House Speaker Jim Black is one of three former lottery company workers who have been charged with violating state lobbying laws, according to court documents released Monday."* In FLORIDA, the woes of senate candidate Katherine Harris continue to grow:

May 22, 2006 - The latest figures are out about the staggering number of people the United States puts behind bars -- a figure that has us jockeying with countries like Russia for the highest incarceration rate of any "developed" country:

May 21, 2006 - Over at Gulf Coast Reconstruction Watch, the Institute's special Katrina project, we have a thoughtful look at the race dynamics of