Callie Jamar

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Lower gas prices and higher SUV sales not necessarily related

By Callie Jamar | November 27

As gas prices have flattened out in recent weeks, local auto salesmen are expecting increases in sport utility vehicle sales. But the correlation between falling gas prices and rising SUV sales might be nothing more than annual trends. Recent fluctuations in the cost of fuel have followed a fairly typical seasonal pattern, said Michael Burdette, senior oil market analyst at the Energy Information Administration. "Even if nothing happens to crude oil prices, gasoline prices tend to go up in the spring and summer and down in the fall and winter."

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UNC, Duke host trial competition

By Callie Jamar | November 20

For the more than 30 teams that went to court this weekend, the judges' verdicts had nothing to do with guilt or innocence. Instead, witnesses and attorneys found their performances on trial. The teams, representing 16 colleges and universities, competed Friday and Saturday in the Tobacco Road Invitational mock trial tournament. The event, held jointly at UNC and Duke University, was the brainchild of UNC senior Kevin Murphy and Duke senior Ryan Strasser.

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Grant to increase aid for released convicts

By Callie Jamar | November 13

Peter Bell spent almost six years in prison, but he says the year and a half since his release has been even more life-changing. He credits Durham's local re-entry programs for providing him with the tools he needed to get back on his feet. "Society will give the individual a second chance, but the individual has to prove himself," he said. As a part of its Prisoner Re-entry Initiative, the U.S. Department of Justice recently renewed a grant to the Center for Community Safety at Winston-Salem State University.

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S.C. senator speaks about war on terror; stresses bipartisanship

By Callie Jamar | October 18

The war on terror is far from over, but Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he is working to ensure that the U.S. sticks to its values during the fight. Graham spoke to a crowd of about 450 students and community members on Tuesday afternoon as part of the Millennium Seminar Series at N.C. State University. The senator gained fame for his willingness to go against the administration and insist that the United States adhere to Geneva Convention statutes when interrogating and trying suspected terrorists.

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TSA OKs some liquids for carry-on baggage

By Callie Jamar | September 27

After more than a month of stringent airline safety regulations, the Transportation Security Administration gave passengers more freedom Tuesday in packing carry-on items. The federal agency relaxed its Aug. 10 ban on liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on luggage. Beginning Tuesday, travelers were allowed to carry one quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag containing travel-size toiletries of three ounces or less. Passengers also can bring aboard beverages bought in the secure boarding area prior to takeoff.

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Rally sends message on war, military recruiting

By Callie Jamar | September 25

RALEIGH - For the people who attended the Counter-Recruitment and Anti-War Festival in downtown Raleigh on Saturday, one painting said it all. The poster depicted U.S. students unwittingly leaving their high school for an Iraqi battlefield. The six-hour rally, sponsored by the Raleigh Counter-Recruitment Coalition and Triangle Codepink, featured art projects, speakers and bands protesting military recruitment. Through the course of the day, more than 100 people attended the rally.

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Durham emergency line goes down

By Callie Jamar | September 20

The phone number for emergencies usually is easy to remember. But for five hours on Monday night, 911 calls to Durham's emergency network had to be rerouted through a seven-digit backup number. Verizon Communications, the service provider for Durham Emergency Communications Center, notified the city around 5:30 p.m. that the circuits had gone down, said Amy Blalock, the city's public affairs specialist. City officials immediately notified the media, who publicized a backup number: 560-4601. The number is one of six administrative lines at the communications center.