Chicago Tribune

Clinton's Hispanic edge over Obama (Chicago Tribune)

Currently, at least eight black U.S. congressmen represent districts that are heavily Latino, according to Gregory Rodriguez, author of "Mongrels, Bastards, Orphans and Vagabonds: Mexican Immigration and the Future of Race in America."

...Arguments that smart radios cannot use white space without causing TV interference are off the mark, said Michael Calabrese, vice president of the New America Foundation. The U.S. military uses this technology, he said.

One segment of radio spectrum controlled by the Department of Defense for radar transmissions is open to sharing with unlicensed devices in much the same way proposed for TV white space, Calabrese said. This month, the UK approved a digital TV white-space sharing plan similar to… more

WASHINGTON -- In their most aggressive action yet in response to problems in the student loan industry, U.S. Department of Education officials said Monday that they have sent warning letters to more than 900 colleges and universities reminding them not to limit student choice in picking a lender.The letter was sent to campuses where 80 percent or more of the federal student loan volume in 2006-2007 was handled by one lender.Jeff Baker, policy liaison at the… more

WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration promised direct financial aid Monday to a new West Bank-based Palestinian government that is amenable to peace with Israel, while offering indirect humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza following the territory's takeover by the militant Hamas organization...Five years to the week after Bush articulated a goal of a "two-state solution" for Israelis and Palestinians, the hostile takeover of Gaza by Hamas, which the White House calls a terrorist organization and which rejects Israel's… more

Chicago State University steers students who need loans to a bank led by a university trustee and in which university President Elnora Daniel is a director and shareholder, a Tribune investigation has found...Chicago State's financial aid Web site admonishes students to "choose your lender carefully," then recommends five companies, including Seaway.Daniel owns stock in the private, South Side bank and was appointed to its board of directors in 2004, according to state records. Since then, the… more

Student-loan borrowers cheered last month when the House voted to halve interest rates on federal loans. But don't start celebrating just yet.The bill, called the College Student Relief Act of 2007, would reduce the current rate on subsidized Stafford loans from a fixed 6.8 percent to a fixed 3.4 percent over five years.Subsidized Stafford loans are awarded based on financial need, and the federal government covers the interest while you're in school.The loan's counterpart,… more

Should death be taxed? Congressional supporters claim that this is the issue that was at the core of the failed legislation to repeal estate and gift taxes. Certainly this … more