Thursday, September 18, 2008

• New study links Bisphenol A to more diseases
• Weary – and Worrying – on Wall Street
• Protestors Arrested at the DNC Prepare for Court
• Factions in Zimbabwe Reach Political Agreement
• Riots Over Mexican Jail Conditions Claim 23 Lives
• Possible Drinking Age Change: Reaction on College Campuses

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New study links Bisphenol A to more diseases

Bisphenol A or BPA, is widely used as a lining in food and beverage containers, particularly plastic. The chemical has been said to be linked to incidences of cancer and obesity, and now, a new study published in the journal of the American Medical Association has found even more links to disease.

FSRN spoke with Dr. Anaila Jacob, of the Environmental Working Group, about those new links and what they mean.

Weary – and Worrying – on Wall Street

As the Wall Street bail out list grows, the worries of ordinary Americans grow as well. Will the money in your bank be safe? Recently, Sheila Bair the chairman of the FDIC, the agency that insures deposits released a statement saying US banks are overwhelmingly safe and sound, but with the current financial crisis, many wonder if the FDIC will soon need help from the government as well.

And, if the Government bails out another financial entity, where will the US get that money from. FSRN's Karen Miller follows the money track of who might have to bail out those who are bailing out someone else.

Protestors Arrested at the DNC Prepare for Court

In the wake of last month's Democratic National Convention, a series of civil lawsuits and internal police investigations are underway due to alleged police misconduct.

Arrested protesters are alleging mass arrests during the first day of the convention were unjustified and police illegally seized and destroyed their picket signs.

However, the case of a Denver police officer assaulting a protester on camera is taking center stage—with the City conducting its own investigation. Blake Wesley files this report from Denver.

Tomorrow on FSRN:

FSRN will check in on activists arrested in the Twn Cities and hear from Attorney Ted Dooley, who is representing one of the “RNC 8.”

Factions in Zimbabwe Reach Political Agreement

Following a power sharing deal by Zimbabwe's three main political parties on Monday, Zimbabweans at home and abroad have adopted an approach of cautious optimism.

President Robert Mugabe and two leaders from the opposition's Movement For Democratic Change have agreed to work together following six months of protracted talks. FSRN's Davison Mudzingwa reports.

Riots Over Mexican Jail Conditions Claim 23 Lives

The death toll has risen to 23 people after a second riot broke out yesterday at the Tijuana State Penitentiary. Some 8,500 inmates are housed in a building currently operating at well over 200% of its original capacity.

The first uprising came Sunday after a 19 year-old inmate died from a blow to the head, inflicted by prison guards.

After word got out about his death, both family members and inmates decided to confront authorities in what they say is systematic abuse, torture, sexual molestation and threats. For many, the riot was long coming, due to the deep tears in the Mexican judicial system where justice is still rarely available for the poor, and rampant corruption and political interests still dictate privilege for the few. Mariana Martínez has this report.

Possible Drinking Age Change: Reaction on College Campuses

One hundred college and university presidents and chancellors recently joined forces to encourage a national discussion on reconsidering the legal drinking age of 21. Their "Amethyst Initiative" contends that the "21 year-old drinking age is not working, and has created a culture of dangerous binge drinking on their campuses."

In this edition of Street Beat, WMNF Community Radio's Sean Kinane spoke with undergraduate students at the University of South Florida in Tampa. He asked the students - aged 18 to 23 - whether they thought the drinking age should stay at 21 or be changed.

Students appearing in this piece were: Danielle Shortridge, Jeff McCulloch, Rachael Allbright, Van Johnson, Shannon Michael, Chris Romeo, Michelle Selby, Stephan Moore, Arianne Moffat. Those voices were recorded and produced by WMNF's Shawn Kinane.