Phoenix Media has announced that Carly Carioli (pictured) will be replacing Lance Gould as editor of the Boston Phoenix. Former Phoenix staffer (and 2010 AltWeekly Awards judge) Dan Kennedy reports that Carioli will oversee the print and web content of three AAN members: Boston Phoenix, Portland Phoenix, and Providence Phoenix. The change at Phoenix Media comes on the heels of the significant layoffs of top employees last month, which included CFO/COO Richard Gallagher and corporate controller Michael Notkin.

Continue ReadingBoston Phoenix Replaces Editor

Joe Lance, who wrote the "Civic Forum" political column for Chattanooga's The Pulse until earlier this year, has entered the Tennessee city's 2009 mayoral race. "I have decided that the best way to encourage my fellow citizens to get involved in our local government is by asking them to allow me the honor of serving them as our next mayor," Lance says.

Continue ReadingFormer Alt-Weekly Columnist Running for Chattanooga, Tenn., Mayor

The Phoenix and ThePhoenix.com have unveiled the inaugural "50 Bands/50 States": a declaration of the Best All-Time Band, Best All-Time Solo Artist, and the Best New Band from each of the 50 states. The project also includes an interactive component, with three "people's choice" awards, in which readers can cast ballots via mobile phone or the internet to determine the winner in three undecided contests. "I'm feeling bloodied and bruised," says Phoenix editor Lance Gould. "This list led to so many arguments, hurt feelings, and actual skin abrasions that we could use some medical attention. Luckily, California's Dr. Dre made the list."

Continue ReadingBoston Phoenix Announces the Best Music Acts in Each of the 50 States

Portland Phoenix reporter Lance Tapley is the first to break news about a hunger strike at Maine's Supermax prison. Posted on ThePhoenix.com, the news comes soon after an inmate of Maine State Prison's solitary confinement unit committed suicide. Following two more suicide attempts and an ensuing crackdown, an undisclosed number of prisoners have refused to eat in protest of conditions. Earlier this year, Tapley won an AltWeekly Award for his coverage of abuse at the prison, and The Phoenix has covered the escalating bedlam there over the past year.

Continue ReadingPhoenix Reports Hunger Strike at Maine Supermax Prison