Longtime Al’s Morning Meeting readers will remember the story of the “free” $20 (more or less) for which anyone who bought a CD between 1995 and 2000 was eligible as part of a $44 million settlement with the music industry. The lawsuit claimed CD buyers have been cheated by price fixing. So what happened? Where is our money?
The court signed off on the settlement, but now, according to KOMO-TV, “Some consumers think the settlement is a raw deal and objected in court. Four of them even hired attorneys to file an appeal — a woman in Maine, a woman in Michigan, a man in New Jersey, and a woman in Kentucky.
“They say the terms of the settlement are not fair, reasonable, or adequate compensation for consumers. Especially since part of the refunds would really be in the form of CDs — not money at all. Now, it has to go to the court of appeals and no one knows when that will happen.”
Background from About.com: “The actual amount of individual cash settlements will depend on how many claimants there are to split the $44 million pot. Under the best-case scenario each person would receive the $20 maximum, but a high number of claims could reduce that figure to as little as $5. Worst-case scenario: the pot is divided by more than 8.8 million people and individual shares drop below $5. In that event, officials say, the distribution would be canceled. All claims must have been filed by March 3, 2003.”
Sunday is Grandparents Day
Here is some background and story ideas for you from the Bureau of the Census.
Utilities Gave Millions to Lawmakers Investigating Blackout
Members of the House committee investigating last month’s massive Northeast electricity failure have raised more than $7 million from electric utilities over the past 15 years, new figures from the non-partisan Center for Responsive Politics show.
The 57 members of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, which opened hearings today looking into the causes of the worst blackout in U.S. history, have raised $7.2 million from the industry in their campaign accounts and leadership PACs since 1989. The committee members collected $2.3 million in the 2002 election cycle alone and have taken in more than $675,000 so far in the current cycle. The money was raised from electric utility employees and their families, and from industry political action committees.
States Struggle With Meth
While legislators wrestle with the most effective way to crack down on meth production, state agencies are straining to treat meth addicts. Those familiar with the drug’s effects often claim users need a full year of continuous treatment to stand a chance of staying sober.
“Drug treatment in Arkansas is still linked to 28-day programs,” said Arkansas State Rep. Jan Judy, D-Fayetteville, who has sponsored legislation targeting the meth problem. “And we all know that 28 days is not enough for meth … With the new drugs, they’ve got to change the model.”
What does your state do? How is it working?
Bare Belly is Done
Across southern California, the home of the belly-baring micro-tee popularized by pop diva Britney Spears and her teeny-bopper clones, the tiny tank top has given way to a long-shirted, layered look invented by two 30-something pals.
Their quest for the perfect tee led Cheyann Benedict and Claire Stansfield to start C & C California and unwittingly launched a fashion revolt against the all-too-public bare belly button.
“People are sick of the bare midriff thing,” Pam Cohen, owner of a tony Manhattan Beach, California, boutique, said as she rung up a 50-ish customer who bought $500 worth of C & C T-shirts. “Britney Spears is over. Layering is in.”
Cohen’s boutique, Flip Flop, sells about 100 C & C T-shirts each week at $38 to $48 apiece, and ships another 30 or so to style-hungry customers who see their favorite stars dressed in the filmy tees and heard about them on “Oprah” but can’t find them in stores.
She doesn’t see demand waning soon: “Older customers don’t want to show their bellies and all the jean styles are low.”
Jamie Rosenthal, owner of the hip Hollywood boutique Lost & Found, where actresses Jennifer Aniston and Catherine Keener bought their C & C tees, has gotten “hundreds” of calls for the shirts and compared their popularity to the Beanie Baby craze.
Grocery Chain Fined for Overcharges
The AP reports, “A judge has ordered Albertsons, the nation’s second-largest grocery chain, to pay $1.85 million for scanner overcharges in its California stores.”
Poynter 2004 Calendar is Online Now!
OK, so it’s not a story idea. But I am so happy about the 2004 lineup I wanted you to see it so you could choose what seminars you are going to come to in 2004. Print out the schedule and post it on your newsroom wall. Remember, Poynter seminars have an application deadline of about two months before the seminar is held.
We are always looking for your great ideas. Send <AL Al a few sentences and hot links.
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