Rebel Hell
By Cesar Oman, The Pitch
This story is unbelievable. No, really -- it's a complete hoax. Kansas City's alt-weekly published a fake expose cover story claiming that excavators had turned up the remains of six Confederate soldiers at an arena construction site, and that Confederate heritage groups were insisting the rebel flag be flown over the gravesite. The wooly yarn, meant as a jab at Missouri Governor Matt Blunt for allowing the Dixie flag to be flown at a state cemetery earlier this month, is woven into what seems to be a reporter's golden fleece replete with scandal, intrigue, and ladies of the night. The piece took in a bunch of folks, some of whom didn't appreciate the lampoonery. Journalistic integrity aside, it's a fun read. -- Archie Ingersoll
Fake news: http://www.pitch.com/Issues/2005-06-23/news/feature.html
Real news: http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/news/state/11978743.htm

The Cotton Club
By Bakari Kitwana, The Village Voice
Underground hip-hop answers mainstream rap's homage to bling and thugs with voices of resistance. But the black-conscious message falls on the ears of a primarily white audience. Bakari Kitwana explores the debate over whether the whitening of hip-hop is simply an evolution of art or just another form of racial supremacy. -- Grace Hanson
http://www.villagevoice.com/music/0526,kitwana,65332,22.html

Solar Derby
By Amanda Griscom Little, Grist
Governor Schwarzenegger wants 'to pump solar up.' His plan to install photovoltaic panels on a million California rooftops has the potential to make the state the world's largest consumer of solar energy. But spats with 'girly' Democratic state legislators may deflate the initiative. In early August, when the legislation is expected to come to a vote, we'll see whether the roof is in the pudding or not. -- Archie Ingersoll
http://www.grist.org/news/muck/2005/06/23/little-solar/index.html

The Minuteman's 15 Minutes of Fame (Minute 14.5)
By Harmon Leon, SF Weekly
Wearing fatigues and aviator shades, experiential journalist Harmon Leon infiltrates the world of the Minuteman Project and its quirky cast of characters: a retired Army man dubbed 'Papa Bear,' a Mexican-American fireman, a pissed-off TV reporter, a pistol-brandishing lady rancher, an angry Brown Beret, and patty-cake playing ACLU legal observers, among others. In between yuks, he recalls his time spent sort of patrolling the Arizona border. -- Archie Ingersoll
http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2005-06-22/news/infiltrator.html