These are the hottest stories we’re discussing right now:
Supreme Court Upholds Michigan’s Affirmative Action Ban – “The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a Michigan voter initiative that banned racial preferences in admissions to the state’s public universities.” [The New York Times]
Reid: ‘Something Will Happen’ To Stop Nevada Rancher Cliven Bundy – “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says ‘something is going to happen’ to get Nevada rancher Cliven Bundy to stop letting his cattle graze on federal land.” [CBS Las Vegas/AP]
Charges Filed in Main Line High Schools, College Drug Ring – “Two prep school graduates who prosecutors say had their sights set on running the drug trade on suburban Philadelphia’s Main Line have been arrested along with so-called ‘sub-dealers’ for allegedly selling illicit substances in high schools and colleges.” [NBC 10]
Greens push Earth Day agenda – “Environmental groups are marking the 44th Earth Day on Tuesday with an assault on the Keystone XL pipeline, greenhouse gas emissions and other issues related to climate change.” [The Hill]
Congressional race in SW Florida heats up – “The Republican voters of southwest Florida have either been entertained or appalled by the allegations made by the candidates seeking to replace their congressman, who resigned in January after being arrested for buying cocaine.” [Fresno Bee]
Supreme Court to decide on Aereo, an obscure start-up that could reshape the TV industry – “An obscure Internet start-up is roiling the television industry with an old-school technology: the antenna.” [The Washington Post]
Oklahoma Supreme Court stays executions of two inmates – “In March, a district judge agreed with attorneys representing Lockett, 38, and Charles Frederick Warner, 46, that it was unconstitutional for the state to keep secret its source of the drugs it will use to execute the two men.” [The Oklahoman]
Ukraine crisis: Biden says Russia must ‘start acting’ – “US Vice-President Joe Biden has said Russia must ‘stop talking and start acting’ to defuse the Ukraine crisis.” [Los Angeles Times]
South Korean Ferry Investigation Broadens as Death Toll Tops 100 – “A series of funerals were held Tuesday morning for victims of the ill-fated ferry that sank off South Korea’s coast six days earlier, as the death toll climbed to 108.” [Time.com]
The Disturbing Sounds of Solitary Confinement – “In lockdown, prisoners are denied access to anything they might use to harm themselves. So they shove bodily fluids under the door. They cut themselves with smuggled in razor blades, and smear blood on the walls. They flood their cells, stopping up their toilets until the water overflows into the hallway.” [PBS Frontline]
Alexis Stodghill