Bill Richardson is rumored to be on the short list to be the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, but he downplays his interest. James Oliphant describes the man who might become the first Hispanic on a presidential ticket as part Music Man and part minister with "a super-sized portion of patron thrown into the mix." The Santa Fe Reporter writer accompanies Richardson to the Nambe Pueblo and interviews him about a career that included offering a Sudanese rebel commander an immunization program in exchange for hostages and serving a troubled stint as U.S. Energy Secretary.
Reporters with a great scoop no longer have to sit tight trying not to burst while they wait for the next week’s paper to roll out, freelance writer Charlie Deitch reports for AAN News. It’s possible to publish online 24/7. Several AAN papers are moving away from the static Web site that remains the same for seven days and then has its contents refreshed all at once. A few alt-weeklies post new material daily, and others turn first to the Web whenever they’ve got an especially hot story.
The president of the well-funded environmental organization has warned members of "an unprecedented level of outside involvement" in this year's election. Leaders worry a takeover by proponents of non-environmental causes—including white supremacists and animal-rights extremists—could compromise the club's mainstream appeal. Matt Kettmann reports in The Santa Barbara Independent that the board candidates labeled as anti-immigration are far from being "right-wing wackos" and gives voice to arguments that the influx of foreigners, coupled with uncontrolled population growth, endangers biodiversity and food production in California.
