Rise in fuel costs has students carpooling more, driving less

The temperature is not the only thing that has risen in Tucson; the cost of gasoline has skyrocketed and left UA students strapped for cash.

The average cost for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline in Pima County is now $1.85, and the highest recorded price for the county was documented just last week at $1.89 per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. [Read article]

Napolitano concerned hikes make college 'inaccessible'

PHOENIX - Gov. Janet Napolitano criticized recently approved university tuition hikes at her weekly press conference yesterday, saying she worries the middle class is being priced out of higher education in Arizona.

"I am concerned about the tuition hikes," Napolitano said. "I am concerned that we are making a college-level education more inaccessible, particularly to students from what I would call middle-income families." [Read article]

When Amy Shlossman took the elevator to the Regents Room in the Administration building, she was preparing herself to speak to students about the value of public service.

Instead, President Peter Likins greeted Shlossman, a public administration senior, with flowers and news that she had been waiting nine months to hear.

"Congratulations, you're the winner of the Truman Scholarship," Likins said, giving Shlossman the flowers and a hug. [Read article]

Burgers made fresh, fries cut on the spot and pure ice cream shakes have UA students crazed about In-N-Out Burger, which is coming to Tucson in August 2005.

The popular California-based fast-food chain with a cult-like following will open in the Arizona Pavilions at Interstate 10 and North Cortaro Road.

Fred Encinas, director of real estate for In-N-Out, said since the restaurant already has Phoenix markets, opening locations in Tucson "seemed like the natural plan of expansion." [Read article]

Day 26: Musicians visit UA for donations

Two world-traveling musicians who began an 80-day trip around the world penniless in London spent their 26th day near the UA Mall "busking" - or playing music for donations from passers-by.

"We mostly did it just to see if we could," said Nigel Ashcroft, a musician and songwriter from North Wales who came up with the idea for the trip.

If the couple succeeds in its mission, Carlings Beer will make a significant donation to Shelter, an English nonprofit organization that helps the homeless. [Read article]

Student doesn't care for American food but thinks the people are rockin'

Wildcat: Hi, I'm Claire from the Arizona Daily Wildcat and you're on the spot. That's some gnarly neon yellow hair you've got there.

Sumiya: Yes, I like yellow, and I like the rock music.

Wildcat: What's your favorite thing to rock out to?

Sumiya: '80s rock singers like Guns N' Roses.

Wildcat: How long have you been in the United States? [Read article]

Things you always never wanted to know

Kellogg Foundation Award

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has awarded $100,000 to Knowledge River at the School of Information Resources and Library Science to create public awareness of a national celebration of children, reading and multiculturalism.

Funds will be used to encourage national recognition of El D’a de los Ni–os/El D’a de los Libros, which is celebrated annually in the United States on April 30. Based upon a traditional Latin American holiday, El D’a de los Ni–os/El D’a de los Libros has been embraced by many public libraries as a day to encourage children to read about different cultures. [Read article]