June 8, 2009 at 10:05 am
Massachusetts ex-House Speaker Sal DiMasi is to be arraigned in Boston federal court today on conspiracy and fraud charges for allegedly accepting kickbacks for steering state contracts to a computer software company. College of Communication Professor Fred Bayles, a former USA Today and AP reporter who runs the BU State House journalism program, says in a Boston Herald op-ed that the case points to a “systemic failure in the state’s legislative system.”
Contact Fred Bayles, 617-353-7736, fbayles@bu.edu
June 8, 2009 at 9:31 am
Amid talk that it may be rejected, the Boston Globe's largest union votes today on a wage-cutting contract proposal from the parent New York Times Company. College of Communication Professor Christopher Daly, an authority on American journalism history, can put the vote in context.
Contact Chrisopher Daly, 617-353-4295, cdaly@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 11:33 am
Former Vice President Gore may be dispatched to North Korea to negotiate the release of two American journalists who work for Gore's Current TV. The reporters are on trial charged with illegally entering North Korea and could be sent to a labor camp if convicted. College of Communication journalism Professor Robert Zelnick, a former long-time ABC News correspondent, can discuss the situation.
Contact Robert Zelnick, 353-5007, bzelnick@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 11:25 am
Auto-parts maker Delphi reportedly will be able to emerge from nearly 4 years in bankruptcy thanks to $2.5 billion in GM bailout money to be used to finance a buyout by a private-equity firm. School of Management Professor Israel Shaked, an expert in M&A and bankruptcy, can comment on the implications.
Contact Israel Shaked, 617-353-2665, shaked@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 11:17 am
After learning how white-nose syndrome, a mysterious fungus that has killed more than 1 million hibernating bats and poses a serious threat to the nation's wildlife, lawmakers at a Congressional hearing suggested the Dept. of Interior develop a new body to address wildlife diseases. Their comments came after biology professor Thomas Kunz, asked Congress for $17.1 million in research funding to stop the spread of white nose syndrome.
Contact Thomas Kunz, 617-353-2474, kunz@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 11:03 am
The SEC is charging mortgage pioneer Angelo Mozilo, the ex-CEO of Countrywide, with fraud and insider trading for actions that triggered the sub-prime meltdown. School of Law Professor Tamar Frankel, an authority on securities law and legal ethics, says it's about time the feds went after the big fish instead of just the "small fry" because it's clear signal to leaders that such action is unacceptable.
Contact Tamar Frankel, 617-353-3773, tfrankel@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 10:31 am
The FDIC is reportedly urging a major shift in Citigroup's executive lineup, including moving CEO Pandit to get more commercial-banking experience at the top of the bailed-out former investment firm. Citi's other regulators (the Fed and OCC) may not agree. School of Law Professor Cornelius Hurley, director of the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law, can offer context to the regulatory dilemma.
Contact Cornelius Hurley, 617-353-5427, ckhurley@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 10:17 am
Moody's Investors Service says the already low credit ratings for newspapers will fall even further if the industry doesn't deal with the "structural disconnect" that spends 70% on non-content production. Moving to a hybrid Web-print combination now and gradually Web-only is the only solution. College of Communication Professor Chris Daly, an expert on the history of American journalism, can discuss the ramifications.
Contact Chris Daly, 617-353-4295, cdaly@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 10:02 am
Reports say Steve Jobs, on medical leave since January, could be returning to the helm of Apple by the end of June, with speculation that he may make an appearance at Apple's developer's conference that starts on Monday. School of Management Professor James Post, an authority on corporate governance, can discuss the critical role of a CEO in such a competitive industry.
Contact James Post, 617-353-4162, jepost@bu.edu
June 5, 2009 at 9:15 am
As health officials prepare for the return of the H1N1 flu virus this fall, after stockpiling antiviral medications, recent staff cuts in public health departments raise concerns over having sufficient resources to carry out rapid vaccination plans. Alexander Ozonoff, assistant professor of biostatistics at the School of Public Health, can discuss the issues facing public heatlh officials this autumn.
Contact Alexander Ozonoff, 617-638-5866. aozonoff@bu.edu
